Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic SZ7

Let's look closer at the Panasonic GH2 versus Panasonic SZ7, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are created by Panasonic. The resolution of the GH2 (16MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is pretty similar but the GH2 (Four Thirds) and SZ7 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The GH2 was released 9 months prior to the SZ7 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the GH2 scores against the SZ7 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic GH2 Gallery & Panasonic SZ7 Gallery.

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic GH2 enjoys outside dimensions of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ7 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Panasonic GH2 versus Panasonic SZ7 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the GH2 versus the SZ7.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the GH2 and SZ7 is 70 and 95 respectively.

Usually, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor measurements purely by reviewing specs. The visual below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH2 and SZ7.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The GH2 featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic GH2 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The older GH2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.